Huntington Beach's Harley Ruder is expected to play a large role in the Oilers Sunset League title hopes this season.

Josh Armstrong is one of Fountain Valley's top players this season.

Huntington Beach's Andrew Tenbrink was an All-League player in 2012. PHOTO BY CHRISTINE COTTER, FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Huntington Beach at Katella in the CIF Division 1A boys basketball playoffs.

Seven-foot tall Kevin Rakestraw (right) of Newport Harbor figures to be one of the Sunset League's strongest defenders this season.

Obvious pun aside, in speaking to Sunset League coaches, each seems to be singing the same tune: The 2013 season will be one of the most competitive seasons in recent memory.

Here are what Huntington Beach-area coaches have to say as Sunset League play creeps nearer:

Fabian Luna

Huntington

Beach High

Current record: 8-3

Coach’s remarks:

“We’re finally full strength. We haven’t been full strength until this week so we’re getting into the swing of things now. We’re just trying to get unified. We’re learning to trust each other. But I think we’re moving in the right direction, no doubt. Our last tournament before league play is where we’re going to see where we’re at going into the Sunset League, but I feel pretty good where we’re at. We’re definitely going to challenge for the league title.”

League expectations: “Everybody is pretty solid. I’ve seen all the teams a little bit. I would say Fountain Valley and Los Al are the favorites to win it, but it’s going to be how it is every year. It’s going to be a dogfight.”

Rich Boyce

Edison

Current record: 5-6

Coach’s remarks: “We’re getting better. We’re young and we’re making young mistakes. We’ll play three great quarters and stop playing in the fourth quarter. The sooner we learn, the better we’ll be, but I really have no timetable for it. There are games I feel like we should have won and we probably won a few we shouldn’t have. But I’m a competitor and I think we should win them all. But we’re where we should be, even though I think we could have a few more wins.”

League expectations: “They’re all very good. Fountain Valley and Huntington Beach have to be the favorites to win league, but right behind are Los Al and Newport Harbor. Marina may not have the best record, but they’re playing hard. And we’re in the mix, too. On any given night, anyone can beat anyone.”

Nick Racklin

Marina

Current record: 4-8

Coach’s remarks: “We have a lot of young guys and we lack in height. I only have one player who has played at the varsity level before. So we’re just learning and figuring out what it’s like to play against bigger guys and what we can and can’t get away with. We’re learning the difference between playing hard and competing. Offensively, we have to have a very structured offense if we want to get shots. And we’re actually getting open looks, we’re just not making them right now. You can call it a rebuilding year, but I’m just trying to get these young guys as much experience as I can.”

League expectations: “I think Huntington Beach should win league. They have the most talent. They have the best big man in the league in Harley Ruder and one of best guards in the league in Andrew Tenbrink. They were both First Team All-League last year and should be able to dominate. Fountain Valley is good offensively but they struggle guarding people. If you can clamp down on their break and limit their open threes, they can lose some games they shouldn’t lose.”

Bob Torribio

Newport Harbor

Current record: 8-7

Coach’s remarks: “We knew there would be ups and downs early in the season because we have so many guys that came from other sports and we’re all playing together for the first time. We’re doing a lot of learning on the fly in games because we haven’t had a lot of practices.”

League expectations: “It’s tough. We’ve seen every league team and they’re all good. There are no nights off in the Sunset League. Going off of records, you have to look at Fountain Valley as the favorites to win the league. But I wouldn’t count out any of the teams. We feel that if we play our style of play and knock down shots, we can compete with anyone in league. Do we think we’re going to go 10-0? No, but we can battle with any team in league this year.”

Roger Holmes

Fountain Valley

Current record: 12-4

Coach’s Remarks: “We’ve been playing pretty decent. We definitely have to play better defense. Our games are more high scoring than normal games because of the pace we play. We have some returners but only two of them played significant minutes last year. But all the games in league will be good. The teams are really well balanced.”

League expectations: “Huntington Beach has got to be the favorite to win league. They have good size and a lot of returners. So they’re the front runner.”

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